National Republican., 1887-10-20
Ex-PRIsoNERs OF WAR.
The Association Establishes n Head
quarters In This City.


The following has been issued TO the Ex-
Prisoners Of War, announcing that the as
ISOLATION has established headquarters in
this city:
To UNION Ex-PRTsoNERs or wAR-Dcdr
Comrades The annual meeting Of the Ma.
tlonal Association of Union Ex-Prisoners Of
War, held in the city OF Chicago Sept % and
%, 1887, meagerly represented by the various
state associations, developed one or two facts
1. e., either inehectiveness of the system OF or
ganiZation or great and inexcusable lack OF
sympathy with the cause and hearty co opera
ton on the part Of state associations with the
In the full discussion of the question of the
perpetuation of state associations, the fact was
developed that In several OF our largest states
in which resided many ex-prlsoners of war,
were found associations of Union ex-prlsoners
numbering memberships Of from 100 to 800,
working without charters from either the
National or State Associations, aud without
legal delegate representation in either: or
ganiztd d for mere social intercourse, totally dis
qualified from participation in the originally
designed meritorious work aud purposes of the
association, thus neutralizlng the power and
influence of the National Association In Its at.
tempts to secure legislation in the interest Of
ex-prisoners in the many forms required.
The National Association, In It's wisdom,
after due deliberation, resolved unanimously
by amending the constitution, to remove the
cumbrous and apparently ineffective division
of state and local associations by abolishing all
state associations, making II the duty of all
local associations in the several states aud ter
ritories 10 obtain their charters from, and to
report directly TO, tho National Association
with headquarters at Washington city, thus
concentrating all our forces and bringing all
into line, which we trust will draw the whole
body Of Union ex-prisonersofw war into closer re-
lations for efficient work, aud make the whole
body compact and easier handled through one
and the same headquarters. thus securing the
abolition Of charter fees to states aud the re-
duction OF charter fees to the National Asso-
citation, which must OF necessity greatly facill-
tate the formation Of local associations In
nelghborhoods in which there are but few
comrades residing
sincerely trust that the wisdom of NIL state
and local associations will prevail, aud that
full co operation will be accorded to the &c.
tion of the National Association In the matter
OF the change created, bearing In mind that
the National Association under the delegated
authority of locnl associations is the only
channel through which desired results in the
interest OF ex-prisoners in the way of national
legislation can be secured,
We need combined effort In the matter of
securing this legislation, but before this can
| be Accomplishment 1t is important that the full
and hearty cooperation Of all ex-prisoners
shall be secured through the channel of the
National Association, heartily supported by
all local associations in the respective states
and territories, and as we cannot hope for sue
cess until we are thus united and working un-
der one and the same ghead, / urge upon all
Union ex-prisoners to organize at once, and DO
prepared to assist the National Association In
oil Its efforts to secure the desired ends.
W. II. POWELL. President,
In order that the suggestions made In the
foregoing address Of the president OF the
National Association may be carried out, he
has appointed Maj. l.. p. Williams, Of
| Washington, ID. c., secretary and treasurer,
who has opened an Office In room z, No. 1910
| + street northwest, IN this city, where he is
| now ready to transact all business con
nected with the association, and where all
| persons desiring information in regard to
IL can communicate with him,